Getting to know you: Dan McLellan

Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of interviews with members of UGM staff.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born in Spokane and have lived most of my life here, other than a year in Tijuana, Mexico on a mission. I am a Moody Bible Institute alumnus and a very active licensed minister with Mt. Spokane Church where I attend with my better half, Jess, and our 9-year-old son, Sam. I enjoy the outdoors of the Northwest – swimming, hunting, and hiking with my family.

2. How did you end up at UGM?

In June of 2009, I was in New Mexico at the Border Patrol Academy, brushing up on my Spanish and firearm skills with a promising, well-paid future as a federal agent. Life, however, was not problem free. I had not seen my family in a long time because of work, and the chaplain program that had originally sparked my interest was starting to get bogged down by the politics of our time. One day it just struck me that it was time to get back to my family and serving God with my most valuable time - not just what I had left over.

By August, I was in a ministry internship at my church and, by February 2010, a full-time student at Moody Bible Institute. I supported my family by cutting meat during the first year of school until one day I came to work to find my hours were cut down to five per week.

I knew Steve Viers from church, and he told me to come down to the UGM Men's Shelter and look at a temporary cooking job. I stopped by for a meeting with Steve (with a 3-day beard fresh out of the woods) which turned into an interview with him and his boss. I tried to pull myself together, but the only real skill I could come up with at the time was my ability to process road kill. By the grace of God, I got the job and two days later was frying fish for 300 people. Working in the kitchen at the Men’s Shelter was some of the most rewarding work I have had the opportunity to do in my life, but it was only a temporary job.

By the time I had turned in my 6^th application for other jobs to Teri Munson, Director of HR, she knew me by my first name. I had a kitchen application for the new CDA facility in my hand, but Teri thought I would be a good fit for a job that had not yet been posted at the Crisis Shelter for Women & Children. She said she would send in my application.

After an intense job-shadowing process that involved breaking into a guest’s car for keys and being left alone at the shelter for six hours when a grandchild was born to the employee I was job-shadowing, I was voted in for a part-time opening at the shelter. Before I even received the call that I had gotten that job, a full-time opportunity became available. So I started my first day at the shelter as a full-time employee on July 18, 2012. I have spent a little over a year at the shelter and have been greatly blessed.

3. What do you want people to know about what you do?

I want people to know that the homeless of Spokane are real people. They have real stories and are seen all over town - at the store, working jobs, and living life. I want people to know that we don’t offer a hand out but a hand up with the love of Christ. I want people to know the need. We serve very high numbers much of the year. On some nights, I have only been able to offer ladies a baby blanket and a corner on the floor because we are so full.

4. What is something people may never guess is a part of your normal workday?

Being beaten by 8-year-olds at basketball, attending high school football games on days off because parents don’t have time, being sprayed with a hose or pelted with water balloons, and listening, listening, listening, listening, and listening.

5. How would your coworkers and/or residents describe you in 3-5 words?

calm, kind (sometimes a sucker for a sob story), outside the box

6. Tell us about one of your most life-changing experiences.

Watching the growth in individuals here is a life-changing experience. I have seen many amazing people come, stay, and grow here. Some of the families have stayed and become members of my church. My wife, who volunteers at the shelter as time allows, has been able to touch the lives of some of the young women staying here in amazing ways. All of this is possible because of divine resources given by hundreds of donors to meet human needs so that God may be glorified.

7. Any last thoughts?

I am very thankful that I was able to do this. It was a great reminder of why I do what I do and how thankful I am to be here.